Game played on 1/18/2025.
General Game Notes: Prince Albert won the game in the first period securing a two goal lead early but this was also shown through the dominance with their puck management and defense. Red Deer was able to get on the board with some power play help but other than that, this was the Raiders game.
Max Hildebrand (G, L, 6’1″, 188, Prince Albert Raiders, 06/29/2004, Bemidji State)
Grade: B+
Comments: Hildebrand was really impressive from the start of the game. He was faced with a couple good chances early on in the game and handled them well making stops and not letting second chances happen around his crease. He stopped thirty two of thirty three shots, and the goal came from a power play opportunity. Hildebrand was able to showcase his athleticism tonight, he has no problem getting from side to side and likes to challenge more because of how well he can recover. He will pop out at the top of his crease and challenge a shooter, leaving little to no room from bad angles. He does a good job at recognizing the flow of the game, making freezes when the puck is hemmed in their own zone for an extended period of time.
Lukas Dragicevic (D, R, 6’1″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 04/25/2005)
Grade: A-
Comments: Dragicevic is the catalyst on the back end for the Raiders. An offensive defensemen who does a good job as a puck mover but has no shame in taking his shot. He has a ton of offensive tools and that is pretty easy to spot early on in his game but his defensive game should be talked about as well. One of the better aspects of his game in his own end is that he hounds on opposing forwards as soon as they enter his zone. Dragicevic loves to utilize his stick and his body to separate the forward from the puck. At times, can get a little carried away and take himself out of position. He does a good job at using his stick to lead forwards to the boards for which he uses his body to either pin them or put them on the ground.
Vojtech Vochvest (D, L, 5’11”, 195, Prince Albert Raiders, 10/20/2005)
Grade: B-
Comments: Defensively, Vochvest was able to show just how aware of lanes he is and what he goes through to remove options from the opposing team. His edge work and light footed skating keeps him agile and quick in plays when the other team has set something up. He jumps on opponents quick and when he is on the weak side of the play, makes sure to place himself exactly where he needs to be. His game is at his best when the puck touches his stick and instantly looks to move it north. His offense comes from being second wave but when he is moving the puck quick, you notice how little it stays in his own zone.
Linden Burrett (D, R, 6’1″, 180, Prince Albert Raiders, 02/06/2006)
Grade: B-
Comments: Although it might seem that Burrett, as a two way defender is slow but that is not the case, as he positions himself and uses his stick well that he does not need to go at top speed. His strides are long which allows him to get more power out of his skating, but preferably needs to be lower in his stance to maximize his skating ability. He can get caught flat footed at times but when he reads the play and can get his momentum, his gaps are tight for the most part. He needs to make better plays with the puck on his stick and not throw so many away. He has more time and space than he is aware off and has to get his head around the puck more often.
Tomas Mrsic (C, L, 5’11”, 170, Prince Albert Raiders, 02/26/2006)
Grade: A-
Comments: Mrsic was able to pick his corner on the power play as the flanker. Scored a nice goal using the defender as a screen, getting the goalie to slide with a little drag inside, and beat the goalie blocker side. Mrsic showed that the flanker spot is a great position for him. He has the hands to create confusion while also have the patients to let a play develop. He can quarterback from this spot, but clearly showed he is not afraid to shoot. His shot is as quick as it is powerful. It does not take a lot of space for him to get set, positioned, and pick a corner. He shoots in quantity five on five and quality while on the power play.
Rilen Kovacevic (RW, R, 5’11”, 180, Prince Albert Raiders, 08/02/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Kovacevic scored a nice goal that opened the scoring for the Raiders. On the power play he was able to slide from the bumper spot into a point position and let go a one timer that found space between the goalies legs. This was a nice goal with some power behind it but it had some luck with it. The selection could have been better with little traffic and time to attack down hill. With all that said, shots on net is never a bad idea and this clearly worked out, but Kovacevic is a skilled enough player that he would be able to have the awareness to create a higher quality chance because he does have that type of skill.
Jace Weir (D, R, 6’2″, 186, Red Deer Rebels, 05/21/2004)
Grade: B-
Comments: Weir can sometimes find himself flat footed and put himself out of position to make a hit. These are things I think could be worked on but he at least shows the stones it takes to be physical, he wants to be in the battle. There are times when the puck needs to be moved or at least needs to be a priorty rather than taking the body and Weir makes decisions that involve body first. Being physical is great but when the it is at the expense of not getting the puck out, some plays need to be reevaluated.
Samuel Drancak (C, L, 5’11”, 185, Red Deer Rebels, 02/04/2006)
Grade: B
Comments: Drancak can find difficulty sometimes while entering the offensive zone by trying to do too much, a lot of the time he should push to the outside more than he does as it results in quite a few turnovers when he looks to split the middle. However, when cycling in the offensive zone, or when on the power play, or just having possession in time and space, Drancak can create a lot of scoring chances. Defensively, Drancak has some things to work on but when he uses his size he showed the ability to stop a player from getting closer to the net, and his ability to cut off opponents and use his stick to reach for the puck.
Beckett Hamilton (F, R, 5’10”, 160, Red Deer Rebels, 03/28/2008)
Grade: B
Comments: Hamilton scored a nice goal on a five on three back door for an open net. His teammate made a nice dish back door as they moved the puck around looking to expose space and they did just that. He was able to show tonight that he is a strong hockey mind that finds ways to work his way into the hot areas of the ice, strip the puck, and turn the play around, all factors that rely on a variety of different strengths. Strengths like his skating and ability to survey the ice. As one of the younger players on the ice, Hamilton displays veteran qualities in being able to slow the play down for himself. He does not have a ton of panic in his game.
Talon Brigley (F, R, 5’11”, 157, Red Deer Rebels, 02/16/2005)
Grade: B-
Comments: Brigley was able to show a lot of his game and offensive tendencies are, for the most part, reminiscent of a typical modern day relentless forward. He embraces battles in the slot, knows how to headman an aggressive play up the ice and has the strength to win battles with larger defensemen. He knows how to create space effectively with the puck on his stick and react to opened lanes with a nifty pass or quick shot. But that aspect of his game is certainly a little more muted than when we see him finish checks and when he makes himself hard to play against. It could be a confidence issue but he is able to make plays, he just needs the time and space that some of his peers do not need.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
